I have been betrayed. I have been betrayed by church people who were angry at the powers that be in the Annual Conference and focused that anger at me. They lied. They made up stories. After a while the DS became too tired of listening to them and gave in to their tantrums. I have been betrayed by friends who saw the writing on the wall and lied to save their own skins. I often wonder how they can live with themselves.Maundy Thursday has always been the day during Holy Week that I can most relate to. On this day we remember Jesus' last meal with his disciples and friends. We remember his humbling himself as he knelt down to wash their feet. We remember the betrayer, the denier, the sleepers. And each year we resonate with one or another player in the story. Have we betrayed? Have we denied? Have we been off doing something else when we needed to be paying attention? Have we been the one who spoke truth and was punished for it? Have we felt completely, totally, irretrievably alone and abandoned? Whichever person we relate to from year to year on this night we know that we are not alone.

Sometimes, O God, we let you down. Sometimes others let us down. Sometimes we turn away from what we know is right. Sometimes we are punished for speaking a truth that those in power do not want to hear. Lift us up and lead us on, help us to find new paths when the one we were on is blocked. Help us to forgive and receive forgiveness. Empower us to pick ourselves back up and to move on to be the people you intend for us to be..........Amen.